Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 vs Sony Xperia 5 V
The Verdict
Both phones arrive at the same $999 price point but with dramatically different philosophies. Samsung's Z Flip 3 prioritizes innovation through its foldable design, featuring a unique 1.9-inch cover display and 6.7-inch inner screen, though the 3300 mAh battery feels constraining. Sony's Xperia 5 V takes a traditional approach with superior specs: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset outpaces the Snapdragon 888, while a significantly larger 5000 mAh battery, brighter 1700-nit OLED display, and 30W fast charging deliver real-world advantages. Sony's camera system shines with a 48 MP main sensor, professional log video recording, and genuine optical prowess. The Z Flip 3 excels as a conversation piece with cutting-edge form factor, but the Xperia 5 V provides better longevity, faster performance, superior battery endurance, and more practical everyday capabilities. Choose the Z Flip 3 for novelty; select the Xperia 5 V for substance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 if…
- →First mainstream affordable foldable at $999
- →IPX8 water resistance on a foldable
- →Much larger cover screen than Flip 5G
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 V if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch flagship in an era of large phones
- →4K@120fps video with professional log recording
- →Exmor T sensor excels in low light
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Pros
- First mainstream affordable foldable at $999
- IPX8 water resistance on a foldable
- Much larger cover screen than Flip 5G
- Compact and stylish when folded
- 120Hz inner display
Cons
- Poor battery life with 3300 mAh
- Slow 15W charging
- Dual 12 MP cameras are basic
- Visible display crease
- Snapdragon 888 thermal issues
Sony Xperia 5 V
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch flagship in an era of large phones
- 4K@120fps video with professional log recording
- Exmor T sensor excels in low light
- Headphone jack retained
- IP68 with two years of OS updates
Cons
- No telephoto camera
- Only 30W wired charging — no wireless
- Premium price for a compact with limited camera versatility
- Display not as bright as competitors
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 | Sony Xperia 5 V |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11, One UI 3.1.1 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 183 g | 182 g |
| Material | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IPX8 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 166 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm (unfolded) | 154 x 68 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 48 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T for mobile) |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps, log video recording |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 124-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 10W wireless | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches (inner), 1.9 inches (cover) | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, foldable | OLED |
| Resolution | 2640 x 1080 (inner), 512 x 260 (cover) | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz (inner) | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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